Age Friendly Communities Workshop

1. Age Friendly CommunitiesWorkshop [Council Logo can be added here]

2. Outline of the Day • Setting the scene • Older people - Who are we really talking about? • Interacting with the built environment • Where do older people fit in the strategic plan? • Actions from the day

3. Project Background • Council on the Ageing (COTA NSW) funded by Office for Ageing, NSW Department of Family and Community Services • Follow on from Local Government and Ageing Report (O’Brien and Phibbs) • To develop a resource to help local government prepare for an ageing population • This workshop is part of that resource package

4. Introduction • Population ageing is a pressing international policy and budgetary issue • In Australia – 2010 Intergenerational Report gives a national perspective • State level – NSW Ageing Strategy • Little work has been done at a local government level

5. Local Government and Ageing • The University of Western Sydney O’Brien and Phibbs study in 2011 was specifically concerned with local government • The study covered 13 rural and 10 metro councils and focused on senior staff

6. Overall Findings • Across NSW, only community service staff seemed to be across the issues, although other staff “got on board” after they were walked through the issues • New strategic planning process in NSW is providing opportunities for the issue to be given greater prominence in Council

7. Overall Findings A common concern for Councils was the high level of social isolation amongst older Australians

8. Policy Implications • Better transport is a key issue • Co-ordination between levels of government and NGOs • Sharing of resources and ideas between councils • Collect better data to measure the impact of ageing – not just relying on anecdotal evidence

9. [Council Name] Population Pyramid – 2011-2036 change Insert Council pyramid on this slide. This is an example

10. Increase in older population for [Council Name]

11. Increase in proportion of population in [Council Name] aged 65 and over • 2011 - ??% • 2021 - ??% • 2036 - ??%

12. Ageing is everybody’s business • Want older people to be active and involved • Good for health • Good for economy • Not just a social services issue • Cuts across all aspects of Council work • Sometimes it’s in the detail, not big picture

13. Myths and Stereotypes • All older people • don’t work • are frail • have nothing left to offer • All older people need • special accommodation • special and separate products • need care

14. But older people • Provide family support • Are active consumers • Mostly look after themselves • Volunteer in community organisations • Only 5% of older people are in supported accommodation – this does not characterise all older people

15. There are lots of Guidelines Healthy Spaces and Places ALGA, PIA and Heart Foundation Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities World Health Organisation Built Form Guidelines and Open Space Guidelines Landcom Age-friendly built environments Australian Local Government Association Building Dementia Friendly Neighbourhoods Alzheimer’s Australia Development and Active Living Premier’s Council on Active Living (PCAL)

16. Guidelines and older people • Assuming general liveability factors are a given – specific aspects for older population: • Footpaths • Seating • Lighting • Wayfinding • Toilets • Parking

17. What are the issues for [Council Name]? (room here to insert a graphic or logo if desired)

18. Introduction to Activity 1

19. Archetypal Older Person • Create a person and their story using information about people you know. • Some things to think about: • Where are they living, and who with? • Do they have family connections? • What activities are they involved in? • What are their aspirations? • What would they like to do but can’t?

20. Review the Archetypes • View the other archetypes • What thoughts and ideas are most important or relevant? • Are there any thoughts and ideas new to you? • Give these a star

21. Introduction to Activity 2

22. Example for Activity 2

23. Every Picture Tells a Story • Look at the picture and view it through the eyes of an older person • Make notes in the space beneath the picture • When ready, discuss the pictures together • Identify the common themes in the pictures

24. What did other people find?

25. Summary of Activities • Population is ageing – more older people than younger people in 50 years • Older people are not all the same • Still contribute – child care, paid work, volunteer hours, study and learning • Mostly want to age in their own home • Reluctant to move house

26. What we’ve realised … • Built environment not very age friendly • Disability access standards not sufficient • Attitudes play out in everything from policy development to putting down concrete • We have to think more inclusively about everything • It’s not all about aged care – it’s aged LIVING

27. What does it mean for local government? • Approach to all things needs to be age-friendly • Have to think now about 10-20 years time • Has to be inherent in Community Strategic Plan

28. Age Friendly CommunitiesWorkshop Council Logo can be added here

29. Joining the Dots Policy focus on: • The public built environment • Special accommodation • Separate housing • But where will most people grow old? At home in their local community • This is where most say they want to age BUT…

30. Joining the Dots • Focus is on aged care not aged living • Shortage of everyday housing to suit older people • Homes as well as public domain needs to support people – join the dots • Going to residential care before they need to • IS THIS SUSTAINABLE?

31. Introduction to Activity 4 [Council Name] Community Strategic Plan [Can insert graphic or logo]

32. [Council] Vision [Put vision in centre of slide]

33. CSP Goals • [List goals here]

34. Example 1 People Goals: • What are the particular issues for older people in accessing cultural, recreational and sporting events? • Are older people encouraged to participate in arts and sporting events? • What can Council do within current constraints?

35. Example 2 • Economic Goals: • What role can older people play in economic development and tourism? • What can Council do to make the area more appealing to older tourists? • What can Council do to support older residents to spend their money locally?

36. What can Council do? • Read the goals assigned to your group • Decide by consensus 2 or 3 goals to work on • How does the goal translate into a liveable community for older people? • Write down specific actions Council could implement that relate to an older population • Write down specific actions other agencies might need to implement • Write down what you think Council could do, but is unable

37. What did other people find? Community Places Environment Economy Leadership

38. Activity 6: What can I do?

39. What can I do? • Reflect on the work so far. You’ve been • Looking through the eyes of older people • Seeing what Council can do • Sharing ideas with others … IDENTIFY ONE THING YOU CAN DO IN YOUR JOB TOMORROW

40. Thank You!